Consecutive hikes to off Season Sri Pada and Bopaththalawa

This was my 11^th visit to Sri pada and third off season hike. No matter how often I visit this sacred mountain I never get enough as this Sri pada Sanctuary is the best place on earth by means of bio Diversity and uniqueness. If I say one should hike this holly peak to experience the real beauty and the mystery in off season, it would be a controversial statement. Though my statement is 100% true if a brainless, irresponsible person do this hike in off season it would be a disaster for this precious area. Even your breath is a pollutant to this sensitive eco system, then what about polythene, plastic etc.. So my sincere request for the hikers not to harm this beautiful place any means. Remember leave only foot prints and take only photographs

Since our crew was only two I thought of doing this as one day hike. Then problem aroused what we are going to do next day as it was a free day for both of us. Then I remembered the beautiful peak bopaththalawa which I was planning to do from a long time. While Most of the people rest for weeks after a hike to Sri pada, my friend Thenuka accept the challenge to climb Bapaththalawa very next day. So we successfully did both peaks in two consecutive days followed by a scenic drive to Balangoda. So here is the story of our journey.

I left home around 5.00 am and reached Avisawella 7.00 a.m. Thenuka came from his car around 7.15 and we drove towards Nallathanni. Drive was in a slow side as we were not in a hurry. We reached Nallathanni around 10.00 a.m. and parked vehicle at Nagawiharaya (where a tall Buddha Statue stands) we started the hike from Nallathanni Bridge around 10.15 a.m. I‘ll let pictures to tell the remaining story

Thenuka at Nallathanni Bridge

Water falls were bit dried

Makara thorana

We met this fellow at makara thorana

Seasonal cascades

Red Bridge

Steps to Japanese peace pagoda

Japanese peace pagoda

Yaka Endu Falls

Steps To Heaven

Seetha gangula

Seetha gangula

There is a resting place / Shop at this point in the season

mist

I Love Mist

At gettham Pahana

By Road to Ratnapura Trail

Some rest before the last climb

Ehala Kanuwa

Bhagawa Lena

Sri pada Summit

We Reached the Summit at 1.145 p.m. Spent nearly a half an hour. Met the Priest in charge of the temple and had few discussions. Then return Back . We were at Nallathanni around 5.00 p.m.

Bells

Full view of the temple

Descending

Beautiful Flora

He was waiting for us

Peace pagoda far away

Tree shade

Gentleman and the Dog

Yaka Hendu Falls

Virgin forests

Calm and strange

Reaching the Base

Then we drove towards Bogawanthalawa. Reached our Resting place around 7.00 p.m. They could provide us accommodation but no food. So we had to go to a nearby place to have dinner which is nearly 400 m away from our rest. They also provide accommodation. So I recommend that place to stay cos you get both in one place. But remember facilities are very basic so not to recommend for a family stay in both places.

We woke up around 6.30 a.m. and had breakfast from the same place we had dinner. Then we drove towards Bogawanthalawa.

I will give the direction to the Bopaththalawa peak now. Remember some pictures were taken on our way back so don’t be confused with the images . Just follow only the land marks accordingly.

Our Resting place

Our Transport Mode

Place where we had meals. Delusions meals at affordable rates. And basic accommodation suitable for group of boys. Just call them and check the availability

Here we go

First land Mark. Turn Left from this Board. You have to go to Lynsted managers Bungalow which is nearly 3 km away from here

You will meet this junction.. Choose Right uphill Road ( remember the photo was taken on our way back )

Then You will reach this name board. You have to go straight ( remember the photo was taken on our way back )

The Map

Beautiful Estate Roads.. Stick to the main path without turning to by roads

Beautiful Tea Country

Scenic Tea Lands

Here is the place we parked the vehicle. You Have to Turn left from this bridge

Take the foot Path to slanted left. The straight path will take you to bungalow

Take left path

Walk along the foot path

Jacobbs ladder begins. Climb is much intense now

If you reach here before 8.00 a.m. you can walk with estate workers so that you will not miss the path

Taking Some rest

At one point trail splits. Path to right will lead you to the farm. Thenuka is showing the path to Peak

The Bopaththalawa peak seen. Remember you have to skip this path too and try to make your own path to climb the mountain

There is no specific path . Use your common sense. We chose this way.

Nearby mountain

Starting the hike

If you meet this then think you are going in the correct direction

Rabbits

On the way

Beautiful Scenery

Mist had invaded

Beautiful Scenery

Tricky point

Bopath thalawa farm Zoomed

Climb is getting Harder

More to climb

Mist

Our Target

Well done. Took nearly two hours ..

Views from Top

On the Top

More views

When we descend the views got more clearer

When we descend the views got more clearer

Serpents ????

flora

flora

Getting down

Leopards ?????

Mission Completed. We were at base around 12.00 noon

Ladies plucking tea leaves

After coming to Bogawanthalawa we preferred some snacks as lunch. Then we drove towards Balangoda via Scenic Road. We all reached our homes before 6.00 p.m.

Balangoda- Bogawanthalawa Road

Tea is everywhere

Road through jungle

Pines

View point on the way

Name Boards

Good Bye

Thanks for reading